Naperville council approves downtown hotel

Developer modifies plans to overcome opposition to Riverwalk project

A development proposal that would put a hotel in downtown Naperville has cleared a large hurdle, and construction could begin this year.

Developers put forward a revised Water Street plan meant to ease concerns regarding building height, density, traffic and impact on the Riverwalk that have been at the center of public debate for months. The Naperville City Council approved the site design Tuesday.

"I think the community should be really happy that a lot of the concerns have been heard and incorporated in this revised plan," Councilman Bob Fieseler said.

But the project still has hurdles to overcome before shovels hit the ground. Officials still are working out details of publicly financed improvements to the area and a potential financial incentive for the developer.

The development proposed by Marquette Cos. is targeted for a 2.4-acre site along Water Street downtown. The plan calls for a 166-room boutique hotel, a 524-space parking garage, restaurants, shops, offices and a plaza along the Riverwalk.

To address concerns, developers lowered the maximum building height to 65 feet and experts have identified traffic signals, signage and intersection improvements that could help with traffic flow. Apartments also were removed from the proposal.

However, the Naperville Area Homeowners Confederation board remained critical of the plan.

"Residents may feel uncomfortable walking on a narrowed Water Street, users of the Riverwalk will be shocked at the change in its character and driving in the immediate area will be much more unpleasant," President Bob Buckman said.

But Councilman Paul Hinterlong said he believed it was a fair compromise.

"If we turn this thing down, they go away and then this property gets developed lot by lot," Hinterlong said. "We don't know what can come up here. Here, we know what we have, they've brought it down. I think they're within reason."

Councilman Kenn Miller also said traffic problems are expected regardless of the development.

"I'm hopeful that having the garage is going to get people to park on the perimeter of downtown and not be driving around downtown," he said.

Even Grant Wehrli, who has been one of the City Council's biggest critics of the plan, said the revisions were enough to win his support, but only if there was a prohibition on using "Riverwalk" in any business name. However, the majority of the council did not support that regulation, and Wehrli was one of two councilmen to vote against the project.

The site plan will return to council for final approval next month. However, financial issues remain to be worked out. Because the Water Street area is a tax increment financing district, the city and developers will negotiate what public improvements TIF money will fund. Marquette Cos. also has asked for a financial incentive.